David Rivera, the million-dollar man

If dollars were votes, Miami Rep. David Rivera would have more than 1 million of them. In the last quarter, the House budget chief raised nearly $300,000, bringing his total cash contributions for a state senate seat to $1,031,102.

Rivera's opponent, Miami Rep. Anitere Flores, raised just under $69,000 last quarter, bringing her total contributions to about $390,000.

Political insiders and those familiar with Senate District 38 said that, while Rivera is a merciless fundraiser and political animal, the election would be too tough to call if Flores raised just half the cash he did. Flores still has enough of a war chest and enough family ready to help out that she still has a shot at winning the race. Albeit, it's starting to look like more of a longshot.